Mobile tree slasher

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cutting trees stems into logs comprising a horizontal conveyor transporting the stems, a first rotary saw for cutting the stems into a first set of logs having twice their final length, an upwardly sloping conveyor for lifting the said first set of logs and a second rotary saw for cutting the first logs in half while the logs are raised. A table for discharging logs from the horizontal conveyor to the upwardly sloping conveyor comprises a sweeping blade extending longitudinally of the transfer table and a hydraulic jack is used for moving the blade laterally across the table to move the logs thereon on the upwardly sloping conveyor. An apron is pivotally connected along one edge thereof to the discharge end of the transfer table and is downwardly inclined towards the sloping conveyor, springs biasing the apron upwardly and chains limiting the upward movement of the apron under the bias of the springs.

United States Patent inventor Jean Paul Tanguay St. Prime, Quebec,Canada Appl. No. 754,606 Filed Aug. 22, 1968 Patented May 25, 1971Assignee Placements Jean Paul Tanguay Ltee St. Prime, Quebec, CanadaPriority Aug. 24, 1967 Canada 998,652 Continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 698,764, Jan. 18, 1968, now Patent No. 3,500,882.

MOBILE TREE SLASHER 3 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs. US. Cl l43/46F, 143/1,143/157 Int. Cl B27b 11/12, B27b 31/00 Field of Search 143/46, 48,49,41, 1, 1575; 144/3, 312

9 59 9.6 87 l3 m X i 1 a. re.

Primary ExaminerDonald R. Schran Attorney-Raymond A. Robic ABSTRACT: Anapparatus for cutting trees stems into logs comprising a horizontalconveyor transporting the stems, a first rotary saw for cutting thestems into a first set of logs having twice their final length, anupwardly sloping conveyor for lifting the said first set of logs and asecond rotary saw for cutting the first logs in half while the logs areraised. A table for discharging logs from the horizontal conveyor to theupwardly sloping conveyor comprises a sweeping blade'extendinglongitudinally of the transfer table and a hydraulic jack is used formoving the blade laterally across the table to move the logs thereon onthe upwardly sloping conveyor. An apron is pivotally connected along oneedge thereof to the discharge end of the transfer table and isdownwardly inclined towards the sloping conveyor, springs biasing theapron upwardly and chains limiting the upward movement of the apronunder the bias of the springs.

PATENIED M 2 5 \971 SHEET 1 OF 6 INVENTOR Jean Paul TANGU Y ATTORNEYPATENTEnuAvzslsn 3580.306

SHEET 2 OF 6 INVENTOR Jean Paul TANGUAY A TTURNI'I Y PATENTED uAYzs-lsm'SHEET 3 OF 6 QEmN w 1 I gmnmnmmlmummmmlumvggiggwuummmun i I INVENTORJean Paul TANGUAY ATTORNEY PATENTEDIAYZSIQYI 3580,306

' SHEET b 0F 6 INVENTOR Jean Paul TANGUAY 2;; 5M ATTORNEY PATENIEU m2 5m1 SHEET 5 BF 6 INVENTOR Jun Poul TANGUAY ATTORNEY PATENTEUHAYZSIHYI 50,305

SHEET 8 OF 6 INVENTOR Jean Paul TANGUAY ATTORNEY MOBILE TREE SLASIIERThe present invention relates to a movable slasher for cutting treestems and is a continuation in part of my prior U.S. application No.698,764, filed Jan. 18, I968, now Pat. No. 3,500,882.

Slashers of this general type are known and the present inventionproposes to overcome numerous deficiencies of the present slashers andgenerally improve the efficiency thereof.

As is known, this type of slasher has an elongated receiving conveyorover which the tree stems are laid and directed toward one end of theslasher for the first cutting operation where the stems are cut intologs of predetermined length. The logs then rest on a transfer tablewhich carries them into a second conveyor extending laterally of thefirst one and either loading a truck or discharging them on a pile.

A first object of the invention is to provide devices on the first andsecond conveyors to vibrate the tree stems or logs in order to properlyalign them on the respective conveyors. The first conveyor is alsoprovided with gripping rollers that can rotate in either direction sothat the tree stems are properly aligned on the transfer table prior totheir cutting into logs. The transfer table itself is of a novel typewhich more eff ciently and easily carries the logs onto the lateralconveyor.

The latter conveyor is provided with a central saw to cut the logsreceived from the transfer table into two thus ensuring a more efficientand rapid operation.

In order to prevent piling up of logs, particularly on the secondconveyor, the two saws as well as the second conveyor are mounted to bedriven in unison.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision that, for safetypurposes, the first conveyor will not operate unless the first saw is ininoperative position. The latter is swingable in a vertical plane froman upper operative to a lower inoperative position.

A further object of the invention resides in that the lateral conveyoris detachably mounted on the-base of the slasher and posts are providedabove the first conveyor for resting the said second conveyor thereon.In this manner, it is possible to build the slasher within the narrowlimits as to width whereby it can be driven on conventional roads.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision ofjacks mounted alongside the base of the slasher and usable to lifteither of the forward or rearward ends of the slasher or both or to beused to stabilize the slasher in operation.

The invention will now be described in reference to a preferredembodiment illustrated in the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a lateral perspective view of a movable slasher made accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the slasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial rear elevation view of the slasher, the operatingcab being removed;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view in elevation taken in avertical plane extending through the centerline of the second conveyor;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the driving mechanism of the slasher;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gear and sprocket mechanism fordriving the rear wheels;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first conveyor;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a kicking device on the first conveyor;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first conveyor,adjacent the forward end of the base;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but illustrating a modifiedform of transfer table assembly;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the modified transfer table.

With reference to FIG. I, the rearward end of the slasher is to be takenwhere the cab l is mounted, the tree stems 3 being loaded on the forwardend.

The slasher comprises an elongated wheeled base 5 over which is mounteda conveyor 7 extending generally longitudinally of the base 5. As bestshown in FIG. 7, the conveyor comprises a series of generally arcuatehorizontal bottom plates 9 spaced from one another and between each oneof which is mounted a roller 11, each rotatable about a horizontal axisextending transversely of the conveyor. Rollers 11 are mounted forrotation on two sidewalls 13 (FIGS. 8 and 9) the upper ends of whichbend outwardly and are provided with freely rotatable upward rollers 17to ensure longitudinal displacement of all timber stems lying over theconveyor. All conveyor rollers 11 are of the gripping type, althoughonly the end ones are thus shown in FIG. 7. Gripping of rollers 11 maybe obtained through a series of spaced radial plates 19 having aserrated arcuateouter edge and secured to a central hub 21.

Rollers 11 are driven by means of a sprocket and chain arrangement 23connected to a reversible motor 25 through a speed reducer 27.

Preferably, conveyor 7 has a detachable forward section 29 (FIGS. 1 and2) for helping the free end of the stems 3 into the conveyor 7. Thissection slightly differs from the main section of the conveyor in thatthe lateral walls 31 thereof, here shown as made of tubing, are not onlyinclined outwardly but are also slightly flared forwardly. The forwardend of the guiding section 29 may be provided with a freely rotatablegripping roller 1 l In order to ensure that stems 3 by properly alignedand parallel with one another in conveyor 7, the invention proposes theprovision of a kicking device 33 illustrated in details in FIG. 8. Thelatter is formed of an arcuate bottom plate 9 similar to the otherbottom plates 9 and fixed to a generally rectangular frame 37. Frame 37is secured, at the forward end thereof, on an axle 35 pivotally mountedon the conveyor sidewalls 13 in any known manner. A hydraulic motor orcylinder 39 is operatively mounted between the rearward end of the frame37 and the base 5. It will be understood that intermittent operation ofthe hydraulic motor 39 will jerk or vibrate the bottom plate 9 in anupward direction thus slightly lifting the stems 3 to force them intoparallel alignment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stems 3 are moved onto conveyor 7 by means ofthe grapple 41 of a loader 43. The latter are shown in dotted linessince this equipment is conventional and does not form part of theinvention. It is to be mounted over a pedestal structure 45 which shouldbe constructed to receive any type of conventional loaders. The pedestal45 may be built over conveyor 7 to rest on the slasher base 5. In viewof the fact that stems 3 are normally grabbed at one end thereof,outwardly inclined guiding posts 47 may be provided at the forward endof the conveyor 7 to guide the free end of the stems into conveyor 7.

Rearwardly of conveyor 7 and in alignment therewith is a generallyarcuate transfer table assembly 49 to discharge logs onto a laterallyextending upwardly inclined second conveyor 5] to be describedhereinafter. Assembly 49 is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. It willbe seen to consist of a concave bed 53 terminating, on the lateralconveyor side, into a downwardly inclined apron 55. Bed 53 is pivotallymounted, adjacent apron 55, at the top of brackets 57 secured to the topof slasher base 5. A hydraulic motor or cylinder 59 is operativelyconnected between the bottom of the bed 53 and that of the base 5, tothereby cause pivoting of the bed 53 when actuated, as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 4. An abutment wall structure 61 (FIGS. 1 and 2) isprovided at the rearward end of the bed 53 for the abutment of the stems3 as the latter are driven rearwardly by the gripping rollers 11 of thefirst conveyor 7.

A first saw 63 is mounted to move in a vertical plane generally betweenthe first conveyor 7 and the transfer table 49. Actually, and as bestseen in FIG. 7, the saw is preferably mounted between the two endrollers 11 at the rearward end of the conveyor 7 but for practicalpurposes, it may be considered that it is mounted between the saidconveyor 7 and the transfer table 49.

The first saw 63 is mounted for rotation at one end of an arm 65 ofwhich the other arm is pivotally mounted on a bracket 67 fixed to thetop of an upstanding frame 69 built on the slasher base 5. A hydraulicmotor or cylinder 71 is operatively connected between the middle of arm65 and the top of the upstanding frame 69, away from bracket 67.Operation of hydraulic motor 71 will move the saw 63 from an upperinoperative position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 to a loweroperative position shown in full lines where saw 63 cuts the stems 3,mounted on the conveyor 7 and the transfer table 49.

A limit switch 3 is secured to a brace 75 of the upstanding frame 69 tobe operated by the bearing of the first saw 63 when the latter is in theinoperative position. This limit switch is in the circuit of thereversible motor 25 (FIG. 7) and the arrangement is such that therollers 11 can only be operated when the limit switch 73 is closed, thatis, when saw 63 is in inoperative position. This is a safety measure toprevent rearward movement of stems 3 when the first saw 63 is inoperative position.

The second conveyor 51 is detachably mounted as a unit on the slasherbase 5. It is of the sawtooth type comprising two pairs of chains 77over which are spacedly mounted right angular teeth 79. It will thus beunderstood that logs 3 cut from the stems 3 and received from thetransfer table 49 will be moved up the incline of the second conveyor51.

As shown in FIG. 2, a generally flat apron 81 is preferably provided,being pivoted at one end to the discharge end of the second conveyor 51.Apron 81 is downwardly inclined whereby to load logs into a truck ordischarge them on a log pile. Its inclination may be adjusted through atelescoping connector 83 (FIG. 3) pivotally connected at one end to theslasher base andat the other end to the free end of apron 81. Adjustmentof the inclination of this apron 81 is obtained by adjustment of theinner and outer members of the telescoping connector 83. Locking may beby any known means such as by a pin extending through the inner andouter members.

As mentioned previously, the second conveyor 51, and apron 81 as well,can be detached from the base 5 and laid over four short posts 85 (FIG.I) projecting from the sidewalls of the conveyor 7. In this manner, thewidth of the vehicle may be reduced to within the limits acceptable fordriving on conventional roads.

In order to increase the efficiency of the slasher, a second saw 87(FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) may be provided at the center of the second conveyor57. Thus, a quicker cutting operation is provided than if only one sawwas used.

Similarly to first conveyor 7 and for the same purpose, a pair ofkicking devices 89 are provided on the receiving end of the secondconveyor 57, adjacent the discharge end of the transfer table 49. Asshown in FIG. 4, each such device comprises a table structure 91pivotally mounted, as at 93, to longitudinal members 95- (FIG. 1) ofconveyor 51. Vibration of the said kickers 89 is obtained by means ofhydraulic motors or cylinders 97 operatively connected between the upperend of the table structures 91 and the slasher base 5.

In order to properly stabilize the slasher during operation and also toraise one end thereof or the complete slasher, triangular jackssuch asthose shown in FIG. 1, are provided on either side of frame 5. In theembodiment illustrated, each jack comprises an upstanding arm 99 fastwith the base, directly through a mud guard structure I01; a foot plateI03 adapted to sit firmly on the ground; a bar I05 pivoted at the upperend to the lower end of the arm 99 and fixed, at the lower end, to thebaseplate 103. This triangular structure is closed by a hydraulic motoror cylinder 107 operatively connected between the base 103 and the upperend of arm 99. Thus, a slight extension of the motors 107 will solidlystabilize the slasher while further extension will cause rising thereofby forcing the triangle to close. It will be noted here, as aforesaid,that the arm 99 is made solid with the slasher base 5.

Now with reference to FIG. 5 for a description of the power arrangementto drive the rear wheels 109 (see FIG. 1), the two saws 63 and 87 andthe toothed chains 79 of the second conveyor 51.

As shown, a transverse rear axle 111 is mounted for rotationtransversely of base frame 5 and is provided, at each outer end, with awheel hub 113 over which the rear wheels 109 (FIG. 1) are mounted.

Power is drawn from an engine secured on base 5 and having a powertakeoff 115 operatively connected to a transfer case 117 of theconventional-type from which extend two power takeoffs 119, 121. Powertakeoff 121 is connected to a differential 123 through a conventionaluniversal connection 125. Differential 123 and the axles extendinglaterally therefrom are mounted transversely of base 5 with theinterposition of conventional braking units 127. A pair of bearing units129 are mounted on two longitudinal members of base 5 and sprocketchains 131, 131' interconnect the transverse axles of differential 123to the rear axle 121 of the rear wheels 109.

As mentioned previously, the first saw 63, the second saw 87 and thetoothed chains 77 of the second conveyor are preferably driven together,particularly the second saw 87 and the toothed chains 77 of conveyor 51.For this purpose, the second power takeoff 119 drives a common shaft 133through a conventional universal connection 135. From this common shaft133, a first chain drive 137 causes rotation of an auxiliary shaft 139mounted on a lateral member of base 5 and to which is connected thesprockets of a second chain drive 141 directly coupled to the drivingshaft of the first saw 63.

On the other hand, a third chain drive 143, connected at one end to thecommon shaft 133 drives an auxiliary shaft 145 (FIG. 2) on the lateralconveyor 51, the said auxiliary shaft 145 having mounted thereon thesecond saw 87. Finally, a fourth chain drive, generally denoted bynumeral 147, is responsible for the simultaneous travelling of thetoothed chains 77 of the said second conveyor 51.

It has been mentioned previously that one feature of the presentinvention is the provision of a reversible motor 25 (FIG. 7) for therotation of the gripping rollers 11. This is advantageous in that whenthe timbers 10 are moved rearwardly by first conveyor 7 to finally abutthe wall 61 (see FIG. 1) of the transfer table 49, it may happen thatsome of the lower stems may not have reached the said wall in which casethe operator, standing in the operation cab 1, may cause the group ofstems 3 to travel slightly forwardly by reversing the rotation of therollers 11 and again rearwardly to bang them against the abutment wall61 and allow the retarded stems to reach the abutment wall 61. In thismanner, the operator will be ensured that all logs resulting from thecutting operation of the first saw 63 will have the same length.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, illustrating a modified form ofassembly for transferring the logs 3' from the conveyor 7 to theconveyor 51, the transfer assembly generally comprises a stationarytable 149, mounted on the base 5 of the slasher, the said table havingan arcuate cross section similar to that of the bottom plates 9 (FIG. 7)of the first conveyor 7 and a sweeping mechanism 151 having a sweepingblade I53 movable laterally across table 149 to push logs 3' onto thesecond conveyor 51.

The sweeping mechanism 151 also comprises a plurality of swinging arms155 spacedly fixed at one end to the back of the sweeping blade 153 andfixed, at the other end, on an axle 157, parallel to blade 153, andjoumaled on a pair of end brackets 159 and center brackets 161 securedto a frame 171 (FIG. 10) fixed to and upstanding from the base 5 of theslasher. One center bracket 161 is shown in dotted lines in order toclearly illustrate, in FIG. 11, the operating drive for the sweepingmechanism 151.

The drive of the sweeping mechanism is a hydraulic motor 173, of whichthe cylinder is pivoted to the brackets 161, above the axis of axle 157,and of which the piston rod is pivotally connected, through a pivotconnection 177, to a bulge of the center sweeping arm 155 rearwardly ofaxle 157 in relation to the sweeping blade 153.

From the above-described arrangement, it will be understood thatextension of the hydraulic motor 173 will cause sweeping of the blade153 laterally across table 149 and transfer of the logs 3' onto thesecond conveyor 51 and contraction of hydraulic motor 173 will causereverse movement of blade 153.

Finally, the kicking devices 89 of the second conveyor 51 (FIGS. 1 and4) may be replaced by one or several downwardly inclined aprons 79pivoted, at the upper end thereof, to the base 5 of the slasher, beneaththe stationary table 149 and adjacent the discharge end thereof. Aprons179 are upwardly biased by means of springs 181, the upward movement ofwhich being controlled by means of chains 183 one end of which isconnected to the lower tip of aprons 179 and the other end of which isconnected to the base 5. in this manner, as the logs 3 are dischargedfrom table 149 onto conveyor 51, their weight will push aprons 179 backsomewhat thus allowing proper alignment of the logs 3'.

A pair of inclined guiding walls 185 may be used between arcuate table149 and the first saw 63 to guide the tree stems from the conveyor 7 tothe transfer table 149.

Finally, additional gripping rollers 11'', similar to previouslymentioned rollers 11, may be provided across table 149 and throughsuitable apertures 183 to help move logs 3' along I claim:

1. In a movable slasher for cutting tree stems into logs and having abase over which a first conveyor is mounted for moving tree stems onto atransfer table mounted on said base, level and in alignment with saidfirst conveyor; the said table having an upstanding wall at the rear endthereof for arresting stems moved by the first conveyor; there being asaw between the end of the first conveyor and the transfer table to cutstems into logs and there being a second conveyor mounted on said baseto extend laterally away from said transfer table to pick up and conveylogs discharged from said transfer table and convey them away therefrom;the improvement in means on said transfer table for discharging logsthereon onto said second conveyor, said means comprising:

a. a table top for said transfer table, having an arcuate cross sectionin a direction transverse to the direction of travel of said logs onsaid first conveyor and on said transfer table;

b. an elongated blade mounted to extend lengthwise of said arcuate tabletop and to be swept thereacross to discharge logs standing on said tabletop into said second conveyor; and

c. means to cause sweeping of said blade across said table top andincluding at least one swinging arm fixed at one end to said blade andmounted at the other end for pivotal motion about a horizontal axisabove said table top, said sweeping means further including power meansto cause swinging of said arm and blade.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said table top has a set oftransverse apertures therethrough and gripping rollers mounted toproject partially beyond said aperture and thereacross and mounted torotate about axes transverse to said table whereby to urge said logstowards said upstanding arresting wall at the rear end of said table.

3. The improvement of claim 1 including at least one solid apronpivotally connected along one edge thereof to the discharge edge of saidtable top and downwardly inclined from said top to said second conveyorto guide logs from said transfer table to the said second conveyor,resilient means biasing said apron upwardly and means to limit upwardmovement of said apron under said bias.

1. In a movable slasher for cutting tree stems into logs and having abase over which a first conveyor is mounted for moving tree stems onto atransfer table mounted on said base, level and in alignment with saidfirst conveyor; the said table having an upstanding wall at the rear endthereof for arresting stems moved by the first conveyor; there being asaw between the end of the first conveyor and the transfer table to cutstems into logs and there being a second conveyor mounted on said baseto extend laterally away from said transfer table to pick up and conveylogs discharged from said transfer table And convey them away therefrom;the improvement in means on said transfer table for discharging logsthereon onto said second conveyor, said means comprising: a. a table topfor said transfer table, having an arcuate cross section in a directiontransverse to the direction of travel of said logs on said firstconveyor and on said transfer table; b. an elongated blade mounted toextend lengthwise of said arcuate table top and to be swept thereacrossto discharge logs standing on said table top into said second conveyor;and c. means to cause sweeping of said blade across said table top andincluding at least one swinging arm fixed at one end to said blade andmounted at the other end for pivotal motion about a horizontal axisabove said table top, said sweeping means further including power meansto cause swinging of said arm and blade.
 2. The improvement of claim 1wherein said table top has a set of transverse apertures therethroughand gripping rollers mounted to project partially beyond said apertureand thereacross and mounted to rotate about axes transverse to saidtable whereby to urge said logs towards said upstanding arresting wallat the rear end of said table.
 3. The improvement of claim 1 includingat least one solid apron pivotally connected along one edge thereof tothe discharge edge of said table top and downwardly inclined from saidtop to said second conveyor to guide logs from said transfer table tothe said second conveyor, resilient means biasing said apron upwardlyand means to limit upward movement of said apron under said bias.